‘Probably wasn’t the smartest thing’: Police arrest Indy man accused of shooting at neighbor after dispute

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis man is facing a felony count of criminal recklessness after police say he fired multiple shots at his neighbor following a dispute on the city’s near northeast side.

According to court documents, Robert Barnes has been preliminarily charged with Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon (Level 6 Felony) and Criminal Mischief Damage (Class A Misdemeanor).

Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were called on Saturday to the 2800 block of Station Street in response to a disturbance with a weapon. Police were notified that the caller claimed his neighbor, who he identified as Barnes, had shot at his vehicle and tires.

Police arrived and made contact with Barnes, who explained that he was in his backyard when he reportedly observed someone dumping a bed in a nearby alley. Court documents show that Barnes admitted to shooting out the front left tire and rear tire of the vehicle before telling the man to “pick his s*** up and leave.”

Barnes was placed under arrest while detectives spoke with the caller to learn his side of the story. He told responding officers he was cleaning out the home and disposing of items he no longer needed, court documents said. The caller said he was advised that he could dump his garbage anywhere in the alley and it would be picked up by the trash pickup company or “scrappers.”

The caller said he proceeded to dump a bed and mattress on the east side of the alley. As he was pulling away in his truck, the man told officers that Barnes had allegedly confronted him.

He replied by explaining that he was emptying his trash before Barnes allegedly began firing at his vehicle while reportedly saying, “You think you can just dump trash on my property and think you’re bulletproof?”

Detectives reported finding two shell casings in the alleyway. Court documents show that Barnes corroborated the victim’s version of the incident. Barnes reportedly told detectives that he became upset when he observed someone dumping their garbage in the alleyway behind his home, claiming it had been an ongoing issue.

Barnes admitted he opened fire after telling the person to leave, according to court documents.

Online court records indicate Barnes is scheduled to appear in Marion Superior Court 36 for a pretrial conference on Sept. 29.